Means and method of setting up eyeglasses, spectacles, rimless mountings, and lenses



May 20, 1941. J, w SM|TH 2,242,663

MEANS AND METHOD OF SETTING UP EYEGLASSES, SPECTACLES,

RIMLESS MOUNTINGS, AND LENSES I Filed Aug. 23, 1939 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1May 20, 1941. 5M|TH 2 242,663

MEANS AND METHOD OF SETTING UP EYEGLASSES, SPECTACLES, RIMLESSMOUNTINGS, AND I.|E`NSI|S Filed Aug. ,25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 20,1941.

J. W. SMITH ETTING UP RIMLESS MOUNTINGS,

Filed Aug. 23

MEANS AND METHOD OF S Patented May 2o, 1941 `2,242,663

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS AND METHOD OF SETTING UP EYE- GLASSES,SPECTACLES, RIMLESS MOUNT- INGS, AND LENSES Joseph W. Smith, Cambridge,Ohio, assignor to Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, Rochester, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application August 23, 1939, Serial No. 291,6194 Claims. ('Cl. 11S- 59) My present invention relates to new and im-With my improved method of setting up molded proved means and method ofsetting up eyerivet mountings a more simple and less costly glasses,spectacles, rimless mountings and lenses. electric heating machine ispossible, because it A rimless spectacle mounting consists of a is nolonger necessary to have the heating unit shoe and two straps. Thestraps are perforated, 5 equipped with plunger and other needless deoneperforation being threaded to receive a screw, vices.

the other being large enough to allow the body Contact against lower jawis pivoted and mov- 0f the SCreW t0 DaSS thIOllgh freely; and SOmeable.It is under spring tension which assures times rivets are used in lieu0f screws The automatic, instantaneous, unfaiiing current now shoespress against the edges of the lens, while to the point Where heat isdirecteL This e1imi the Straps gril? the Sides 0f ine ienS. The lensnates spark-burning or pitting the finely-polished has a perfefeiion t0mechanically Coincide With gold surfaces of spectacle shoes. Electricwiring the holes in the strpspf the mountmgis completely insulated bybeing carried through The Opticien Sees t0 it that these holes are inlongitudinal perforations in the jaws, each of perfect position after hehas tted the mounting l5 which are made of non conducting mateaL Snugiyt0 the iens- The nnai step is t0 insert a A spring is essential to theuseful operation screw through both strap and lens, turning until of theupper jaw forcing it rigidly down to hold as tight 91S desiredthespectacle mounting as in a vise or clamp.

In recent years a new fastening nasbeen in' This spring is attached tothe housing, so that Vented, doing away With SCIeWS fOr the PUYDOSe whenand if the machine needs repair, the simple ab0Venamed- This neWinvention makes use process of taking down the parts in itself releasesof a, rivet instead of a Screw, and the rivet thus the jaws adjustmentsor repairs to used is molded into place by and through the use the jawsand the electric contacts,

of heat. An anvil is placed at a height from work-bench So wide-spread,and so well-nigh universal 5 that is most convenient to accommodate thehas the use of this rivet beCOme, and S0 11nnatural adaptation of theaverage worker in SatiSfaCtOIY has been the meaIlS fOr applying themanual operations, by resting the forearm on rivets in the art ofmounting rimless lenses, that the bench,

some advance in this art was clearly needed. A cam is preferably used toraise and lower the I shall rst show the steps taken in the past toupper or contact jaw and it is provided with insert a molded rivetthrough and into a spectacle two arms to suit right or left-handedoperator. mounting and lens: 'Ihis cam is constructed to be removed bymerely First, the shoe and straps are fitted properly to lifting it outof the machine if dismantling must the sides and edges of the lens withholes in be done at any time, alignment. The lens and mounting are nowThe self-adjusting contact lever-like arm is clamped in a heating unit,preferably having provided with an umbrella shield which preventselectrically induced heat. 'I'he optician now any molten metal fromfalling into the groove grasps with tweezers a rivet which is approxiinwhich the arm operates. This is an important mately one millimeter indiameter and seven feature, as without this shield the machine wouldmillimeters long. The rivet is inserted into the 40 be fouled andoperation become impossible.

apertures in strap and lens, a metal plunger is Means for adjusting thelens and mounting pressed down against the top end of the rivet,accurately with respect to each other is also prothe tweezers areremoved, and the heat is apvided, so as to insure a perfectly tight andrm plied. The metal plunger presses the heated rivet fastening means.into a circular recess at the bottom of the shoe, Trays are provided tohold pins, screws, rivthus forming a concealed head on the rivet. Theets or other items used in such work. These heat is then turned off. Atthis stage, the job trays are preferably lined with cushion materialwould be weak and unsightly unless a head be such as linoleum, orrubber.

provided for the exposed end of the rivet. So In the accompanyingdrawings:

the inventor of the rivet further applied his skill Fig. l is a view inside elevation of my imto provide a finishing pin. This nishing pinproved machine;

does two things at one and the same time, to Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe same;

wit: it provides a head on the rivet at the Fig. 3 is a view inperspective of a slightly exposed end, thus giving it sufhcientstrength, as different form of machine;

well as adding a fancy finish to the job. Fg- 3a iS a fragmentary frontelevation;

Figs. 4, 5, 6, 'l and 8 are fragmentary sectional views illustrative ofdifferent stages followed in securing the bridge and lens together;

Fig. 9 is a dismembered View in perspective of the several parts forminga gauge;

Fig. 10 is a View in perspective with these parts assembled; and

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show a modified form of gauge.

The machine is represented by the letter M in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Figs. land 2 represent the preferred form.

The base I supports the body of the machine, and is extended at one endto afford support for the novel parts of my invention. A support 3 issecured to a block of insulating material 5, such as Bakelite or theequivalent. This support may be detachably secured in place, as by screw1 or in any approved manner, so that it may be easily replaced. In thesupport 3, a recess or clearance space 9, preferably diamond-shape, isprovided, and this is fashioned to receive and fit the lowermost strapof the shoe, as viewed in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

An anvil Il is movably supported in the insulating block 5 and isnormally held in an elevated position by the spring I3, as shown in Fig.3cr. This anvil II constitutes an electric contact and is in the maincircuit. To protect the parts below from fused material W, the cone I5is provided as a guard. The upper Contact I1 for closing the cincuitthrough the mounting and to the anvil Il is supported on the outer endof a bar of insulating material I9, which is fulcrumed as a lever on thepin 2l, and in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, a spring 23 tendsto and normally forces this entire element downwardly, so that the uppercontact I1 closes the circuit through the mounting when permitted to doso. To break the circuit, the cam-shaft 25 is rocked by manipulatingeither one of the levers 21 accordingly as the operator is right orleft-handed, or according to his convenience. The cam shaft carries acam 29 which turns against the lower surfaces of the insulating block I9and acts against the downward pressure of spring 23 when it is desiredto raise the contact I 1 and break the circuit, as shown in Figs. 1 and2, or the weight of the element I9 in the machine shown in Fig. 3.

When the contact I1 is lowered, the position of the levers 21 issubstantially as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, but when the contact I1 israised out of the way and to break the circuit, these levers are pushedback to a more nearly horizonf' tal position, as represented in Fig. 1.

Wires 89 conduct the current to the contacts, and it is customary toprovide a switch (not shown) on the floor which the operator can controlwith one foot.

Among other things, my invention contemplates means for accurately andsecurely holding and gauging the shoe of the mounting while it is beingattached to the lens, and various mechanical means may be employed toaccomplish this in an eflicient manner. Two such means are illustratedin Figs. 9 to 13. In the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10, two bars3l are housed and slidably mounted within the head of the support 3.These bars have teeth 33 on a portion of their inner edges, and atoothed wheel 35 is mounted to turn freely on the stud 31, between theseslidable bars 3| with its teeth meshed with the teeth 33 of these bars.These bars have upstanding pins 39, which extend aaeacce through theopen slots 4I in te head of the support 3, and in which they are freelyslidable simultaneously in alternate directions and in accordance withthe angle of they shoes of the mounting, thus acting as a gauge as wellas an equalizing stop against which the pressure of the braces isexerted while the mounting and lens L are being secured together.

In the construction shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, in lieu of the toothedbars and toothed wheel, the bars 43 are provided with transverselyelongated holes 45 at one end and the upstanding pins 39 in their outerends. A rocker 41 turns on a post 49 on a bracket 5I on the back of thesupport 3, and this rocker 41 has studs 53 on opposite sides of thecenter pivot, which studs extend loosely through the elongated holes 45in the bars 43. The top plate 93 ts over the support 3 after the plates43 have been connected with the rocker 41, whereupon screw 95 isinserted through hole 11 in the top platey and thence screwed down inthe hole in post 43, and screw 13 is inserted through hole 8| in the topplate 93, and screwed into the hole 33 in the top of the support 3.

With this construction, the bars 43 slide simultaneously endwise inopposite directions when the pins 39 are pressed against the shoe of themounting, thereby automatically adjusting themselves to the position andshape of the shoe, thus functioning as a gauge as illustrated in Figs.11 and l2.

Obviously, means other than those illustrated in Figs. 9 and 13 might beemployed to accomplish the same purpose, which is to brace the shoe ofthe mounting against the pins 39, as this allows suilicient pressure tohold the lens edge against the shoe of the mounting, making a strongattachment. In other words, the function of the pins 39 is to hold the`iob very tightly without a chance of the lens slipping out of themounting during the process of inserting either pins, rivets or screws,whichever are used. It also makes it possible to hold the shoe againstthe lens edge by pushing the job against the pins, thus insuring a tightjob that will not wobble.

While I have termed the element II an anvil since it performs thefunction of what has hitherto been termed an anvil, nevertheless, itshould be clearly understood that the element II is not a rigid anvil,but on the contrary it is yieldable to pressure and is spring-actuatedas heretofore described, and it may be pivotally supported as shown inFig. 1, or slidably supported as illustrated in Figs. 3a, 5, 6, '1 and8. In a machine of the character described, it is important that thisanvil II should have the double function of maintaining an electricalcircuit at all times through the straps of the mounting, and at the sametime yield to the pressure of a screw, pin or rivet if the lattercontacts it and presses against it, when forced into its final position,thus avoiding the danger of breaking the lens which is almost certain toresult from the use of a rigidly placed and unyielding anvil.

The present construction provides every advantage of a xed anvil withthe added advantage which a spring-actuated anvil contact will provideagainst breaking or impairing the frangible lens during the process ofsecuring the lens and mounting together. This construction also insuresthat the fastening means will always pass directly through the center ofthe aligned holes in the straps and lens with precision and withoutdanger of tilting to one side in either direction.

The spring-actuated character of this anvil has another advantage.Unless this movable anvil contact yields or gives to pressure from thedriven pin or screw in operation, the entire mounting and lens wouldforcibly rise against the vise-like clamp provided by the contact I1,causing breakage of the job, and whether of the lens or straps it wouldmake no difference since any breakage or distortion of parts would ruinthe job.

My improved yieldable anvil has still another advantage, it beingspring-actuated it automatically accommodates itself to straps ofvarying thickness which are present in different makes and styles ofmountings.

My yieldable anvil has the added function of furnishing a closurebeneath the holes which prevents the escape and loss of fusiblematerial.

The adjustable stop gauge provides dependable means for automaticallygauging the parts to be fastened together, serving both as a stop and agauge, assuring absolute precision.

The upper end of the fastening means is always accessible to theemployment of the tools to be used in finishing the fastenings.

Operation-To carry out my improved method of fastening the shoes to thelenses, the edge of the lens is first slid between the straps. Byreference to Fig. 4, the positioning of the parts just prior to ttingthem together is illustrated. Thus assembled, with holes in straps andlens in alignment, they are placed in the machine as shown in Fig. 5.Levers 21 are then pulled forward to the position shown in Figs. 2 and3, and the mounting is clamped between the support 3 and the contact I1and the anvil II, making a complete metallic contact between said parts.The fusible material W, in cylindrical or other form, may be fed intothe aligned holes from a holder 55 or other suitable means, as shown inFig. 5. When the operator closes the electrical circuit the fusiblematerial W is rendered molten adjacent the holes in the mounting andwhen the holder 55 is drawn away from the mounting, a supply of fusiblematerial 15 is left in the openings of the lens and mounting as shown inFig. 6. While the material 15 is still in a molten condition, the pin,screw or rivet 13, carried by the spring claw 1I on holder 55, may beinserted as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. If a screw, such as 13, is used, itmay be driven down tight in the fusible material at the proper momentjust before it has entirely set, the anvil I I by reason of its springsupport yielding to the pressure of the pin, rivet or screw,

should its lower end protrude beyond the surface of the strap withoutbreaking the circuit.

The machine is so constructed that a screwdriver or other tool may beemployed without interference with any part of the machine.

When the adjustable stop-gauge is used, it takes the place of thereplaceable support 3 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Obviously, this machine lends itself as a means either to set up or totake down rimless mountings and lenses; in other words, it is adaptableboth to assembling the numerous parts and also to disassembling them.

I claim:

1. Means for setting up eyeglasses, spectacles, rimless mountings andlenses including a support, and a self-adjusting stop gauge movablyconnected with said support adapted to be engaged by a part of themounting during the fusing operation, whereby the mounting is firmlyheld in place, said adjustable stop including alternately movable meansagainst which the braces of the mounting are pressed.

2. Means of providing as a workable adjunct to a heated table includingan anvil, clamp, and a stop-gauge automatically adjusting itself to holdrimless shoes at any angle from naught to forty-live (0 to 45) degreesin either right or left positions while pressure is exerted to holdholes in alignment while screw, pin or rivet is being inserted intofused material to hold lens and mounting together.

3. In a machine for assembling rimless spectacle mountings on lenses,the combination of a support having a seat adapted to receive themounting, a self-adjusting stop gauge carried by said support, said stopgauge comprising a pair of spaced, upstanding pins movably mountedadjacent said seat, and means for moving said pins so that the distancefrom either pin to said seat may be selectively varied while maintaininga fixed distance between the two pins.

4. Means for assembling rimless spectacle mountings and lensescomprising a support having an opening adapted to receive the mountingand a stop gauge carried by said support, said stop gauge comprising apair of spaced, upstanding pins against which the shoe of the mountingis adapted to be positioned, said pins being movably mounted adjacentsaid opening and so constructed and arranged that a line connecting saidpins may be adjusted at various angles to the longitudinal axis of saidopening while maintaining a Xed distance between the pins.

JOSEPH W. SMITH.

